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T. T. BUNCH ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Aug. l1, 1959 14 Sheets-Shea?l l Filed April 5, 1957 .lm/ENTOR. l 7'. 7 BUNCH ArroRNA-V Au'g. 11, 1959 T. T.. BUNCH 2,899,142

ARTICLE HANDLING APP1\.RA'1US Filed April 5,' 1957 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1957 14 sheets-sheet s INVENTOR. n T. 7T BUNCH ATTORNEY Aug. ll, 1959 T. T.l BUNCH ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS 14 Sheeizs--SheecI 4 Filed April 5, 1957 www A INVENTOR. 7'. T BUNCH BY ATTORNEY Aug. 11, 1959 T. T. BUNCH ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed April s. 1957 v 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. 7'. 7i BUNCH ATTORNEY Aug. 11, 1959 T. -T. BUNCH 2,899,142

ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS I Filed April 5, 1957 14 sheets-sheet 5 INVENToR. BUNCH 1 BYQQMMm-Mv ATTORNEY Aug. 1l, 1959` T. T. BUNCH A 2,899,142

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A TTORNEY T. T. BUNCH ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Aug. 11, 1959 14 Sheets-Sheet 1l u u o o... m um) .SUD n n .8v A web... mmv/1J w INVENTOR.

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ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS 14 sheets-sheet 12 Aug. 11, 1959 Filed April 5, 1957 H A R. C www mN mw V w ..o| |TL mr. mmm T. P l .}..okm. co|| O Rm olqmnmw Nwmwrwmr b I KMA M. .I 0 L, j4 I qmvm Nw lo 9| |T||0 Q 1x1 wm I f www m2 o of Nm ummm@ @ESE m mmm n vmvmmw tn ULJ I mf m m\[ N\m|QH| mLLn/Nom Y J )w 3f mm1 o 1 1 Bm 14 Sheets-Sheet 15 T. T. BUNCH ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Aug. l1; 1959 Filed April 5, 1957 L. YQ b\h\ 1V r| NN n. NNN New 6k mqrl bxtl om Non wt I .r 2. I Nmb u 4 m N Q @EMILE J A@ a9 n U v J .mr ma M mh 38% \w| v.: nu gb R P .Cub @ON C O .M90 I Q4 .l0 Ship 3 m TB Q To mQEmQ Y ummwmmvnbl: R B I OO- km. QQMQN\ W 3 QWJI bxw. \mb\b\ u ma9\ |r Ilm/@ M [I Q n311 m lmvw N92 O Aug. 11, 1959.

T. IT. BUNCH ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS 14 Sheets-Sheet 14 Filed April 5, 1957 H D R m Nv Q12 l M W EN nw 1 NNN wv Qmb S@ o o lo o||||||||| l Q. llo o|||| lo ci lo Ollllll l @A IO CII mmm lO O` d V. o o c o 1 o of o o 2 o MMM 2 n .I Ilo, olllllf |o ol. f/ Sv )DDU vovv) Y Y ns e msw BR .QR rL j Rill @WAH QA ,QSCQ ESE \N\Q\\\ L wx @NN/ II w @NNW GNN l hm 4 ATTORNEY United States Patent O 2,899,142 ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Tillman T. Bunch, near Ashland, Md., assignorl to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of -New York Application April 5, 1957, Serial No. 650,961

14 Claims. (Cl. 242-25) This invention relates to article handling apparatus, and may more particularly relate to apparatus for loadingY and unloading stranding apparatus with annular articles,isuch as reels. v

In the manufacture of communications cables, insulated conductors are stranded spirally together individ- -ually or in twisted multiples to form a composite multilconductor cable core over which a suitable covering is applied. Such a cable core may be formed by a stranding machine having a capstan to pace and meter the advance of the conductors and a reel disposed to take the nished cable core after stranding. In one type of high speed stranding apparatus, the iinished cable core is laid around a takeup reel by a rotatingv cup-like yer. The takeup reel is mounted coaxially with respect to the rotational axis of the flyer and is reciprocated axially into and out of the ilyer to distribute the cable core across its winding surface. The takeup reel is rotated in the direction of rotation of the yer by the pull of the span of cable core that extends from the rotating flyer to the takeup reel. The tension in the cable core, as it is thus wound, may be controlled by suitably braking the takeup reel, or by suitably driving the takeup reel.

Even though such takeup apparatus can operate at a higher speed than any other takeup apparatus, in its class of magnitude, the advantage of this high speed is lost or lessened if the takeup reel of the apparatus is not loaded 624,873, entitled Methods `of and Apparatus for Reeling Strands led on November 28, 1956, and in my copending application Serial No. 570,051, entitled Locking Mechanisms filed on March 7, 1956.

It is an object of this invention to provide new and improved apparatus for loading and unloading annular articles.

It is another object of this invention to provide new and improved apparatus for loading reels on and unloading reels from strand takeup apparatus. i

An apparatus for loading and unloading reels, illustrating certain features of the invention, may include an arbor for receiving a reel and means for supporting the reel. Means are provided for moving the supporting means to a first position where a supported reel is located for insertion and withdrawal of the arbor and to a second position where a reel can be loaded on the supporting means and a reel can be unloaded therefrom. Means are provided for moving the arbor longitudinally and means operable at the second position for reel loading t. and reel unloading-of the reel supporting-means. ,Means 1,

2,899,142 Patented i Aug. 1 1, 1959` .Ice

arev provided, operated by the reel supported means, for actuating the arbor moving means and for actuating the loading and unloading means, whereby a reel can be loaded on the arbor and unloaded therefrom.

A complete understanding of the invention may be obtained .from the following detailed description of apparatus forming a specific embodiment of the invention, when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

Figs. 'l-A and 1-B are a composite plan view of stranding apparatus embodying a portion of the features or' `the invention; Y

Fig. 2-A is a fragmentary, vertical section taken alon the line Z-A--Z-A of Fig.v -l-B and shows the apparatus in` position for winding a strand upon a reel;

Fig. ZA-B'is a fragmentary,` vertical section similar to Fig. 2-A withthe exceptions that a carriage drive unit shown in Fig. 2-A is not shown in Fig. 2-B and the apparatus is shown in a different operating position in Fig. 2`B than in Fig. 2-A; v

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2-A with certain parts thereof broken away for clarity; l f

Fig. 4'is anenlarged, horizontal section taken along line 4--4 of Fig. 2-A;

, Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section taken along line 5*-5 vof Fig. l-B, with parts thereof broken awfayfor-clarity;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section taken along line 7-'-7 of Fig. l-B; Y

Fig.`8 --is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 2-A; f

Fig. 9 is an -enlarged, horizontal section taken along line 9 9 of Fig. 2-A;

Fig. l0 is a plan view of the loading and unloading mechanism illustrated in Fig. 3, and shows that mechanism in the same operative position as Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged, vertical section taken along line 11--11 of Fig. 10, with parts thereof broken away for clarity;`

Figs. 12-A, 12B, l2-C, 12-D, 12-E and 12-F`are schematic plan views of the above-mentioned loading and unloading mechanism and show that mechanism in its various operating positions; j

Figs. v13-A, 13-B, lf3-C and 13-D combined as indi cated in Fig. 14, are a schematic representation of electrical circuits forming apart of the apparatus, and t Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view showing how Figs. 13-A, 13-B, 13-Cv and'13-D are arranged to complete the electrical circuit. i

Referring now to `the drawings, and in particular to Figs. l-A and l-B, there is shown stranding apparatus for twisting a plurality of insulated twisted pairs of conductors 11--11 together to form a composite multiconductor cable core 12. The conductors 11--11 are withdrawn from supply reels 13--13 located at the left-hand end of the stranding apparatus, as viewed in Fig. l-A, and are passed individually about a capstan 14 from whence they are directed to a conventional twisting unit, indicated generally at 16. y

The twisting unit 16 is designed to twist the conductors 11-11 together with filler strands 17-17 of jute,

.or the like, to form the cable core 1'2. From the twisting unit 16, the cable core 12 advances through a con- -ventional binding head unit, indicated generally at 18,

which is designed to apply a covering of suitable textile material about the cable core 1,2. The covered cable core 12 passes finally to a takeup unit, indicated generally at 19 (Fig. l-B), which reels the finished cable core upon a rotatable takeup reel 22. The numeral 22, as seen in Figs. l-B and 2A, designates a reel being wound in the takeup unit 19 and to be unloaded, when full, as seen in Figs. 12"-C to l2-F. The numeral 224A, as seen in Figs. ZY-IB, 3, and l2-A to 12-D, designates an empty reel, which is to replace the reel 22 in the takeup unit 19 when the reel 22 is full. f

The takeup unit 1 9 includes a hollow, vcup-like flyer 21 which is mounted i'ixedly, at its base, upon a hollow, rotatable shaft '23 for rotation concentrically about the longitudinally extending, rotational axis of the takeup reel 22. The shaft23 is supported rotatably by spaced bearing blocks 26--26 mountedonatwo vertical support columns, one of which designated 27, is shown in Figs.

2Aand2-B. Y .Y Y As viewed in Figs. l-A and.1'-B, the cable core 1'2 advances longitudinally from left to right through the hollow shaft 23 to a freely rotatable guide sheave 28 mounted within a longitudinal arcuate cut-out slot 31 (Figs. Z-A and 2B) formed in the v shaft 23. The advancing cable core 12 follows a path around the guide sheave 28 to a pairof longitudinally spaced, freely rotatable guide sheaves 32 and- 33 mounted on the outer periphery of the flyer 21. The cable core 12 travels over the guide sheaves 32 and 33 and then radially inward, through an aperture 34 (Figs. 2-A and Z-Y-B) formed in the ilyer 21, to the winding surface of the takeup reel 22. y A y During the reeling operation, the takeup reel 22 (Fig. Z-A) is supported on the free end of a rotatable arbor 36. The arbor 36 is mounted rotatablyyin cantilever fashion, on spaced bearings 37--37 mounted fixedly on a movable distributor carriage 38. A pneumatically released'latchin'g mechanism, indicated generally at 39, is provided for mounting and locking the takeup reel 22 detachably on the arbor 36 for positive rotation therewith.

The mechanism 39 is described in detail in my abovementioned copending application entitled Locking Mechanisms. It is suicicnt for the present description to state that a plurality of ball detents 41-1-41 are movable longitudinally of the arbor36 by an actuator (not shown) so as to Yforce against the reel 22 and clamp the reel against a conical portion 42 of the arbor (Figs. 2-A and 2-B), or so as to release the reel. The actuationis held in such clamping position by the force of a `coil spring `(not shown) exceptwhen forced by pneumatic action to the releasing position where the ball detents 41-41 are 'moved away from the reel and retracted into the arbor 36 lso as to leave the reel free to be removed from the arbor '36.' Pneumatic pressure is supplied for actuation of the actuator bymeans of a hose'43 prevented from fouling with the carriage I38 "by winding uponr a constantly tensioned reel 44 similar to a conventional, gasoline station, air hose reel. v

The arbor 36 is aligned axially with the rotational axis of the yer 21 to position the takeup reel A22 concen- Atri'cally with respect 'to the flyer 21. The distributor carria'ge 38 is mounted on opposed pairs of rollers 46--46 for longitudinal movement along and between a pair of spaced, longitudinally extending tracks 47;-47, which are supported horizontally on spaced support columns 48-48.

Rigidly Asecured at either end `of the carriage 38 are identical spring bumpers 49 and 51, oneof which is vshown in enlarged fashion in Fig. 9. 'The spring bumpers 49 and 51 each have a pair of springs 52 and "53 received therein. The spring'52 acts asa safety device to absorb *the kinetic renergy of the 'carriage 38 should the various `brakes -and'motors of the'appa-ratusincorrectly operate so 'as not to 'properly control the longitudinal movement -of the carriage 38- along the tracks 47m-47.. During reand 57, respectively. Stop members 58, 59 and 61 are provided for limiting the movement of the carriage-38 and for aiding in positioning the carriage 38 during the loading and unloading cycles.

The stop member 56 is secured rigidly to a support column 48 (Figs. l-B and 7) by means of a bracket 62 and remains stationary Vduring the operation of the apparatus, as does the stop member 61 which is secured rigidly to'another support column 48. The stop member 57 is attached pivotally to one of the tracks 47-47 by means of a member 63 and can be pivoted to the lowered position shown in phantom linesin Fig. 8 .and as shown in solid lines in Fig. 2-B so as to allow the carriage 38 to pass thereby.l TheA stop member 57 is held in its raised position by a spring (not shown) covered by a spring container 64 and also is held in its raised position or pivoted to its lowered position by an electrically actuated, air powered, rotary indexing motor 66.

The stop members 58 and 59 are also arranged to be pivoted to raised and lowered positions in the same mannerI as stop member 57 for either limiting the movement or for allowing the passing of the carriage 38, respectively. The stop member 58 is so mounted upon the member 63 that when it is raised it may limit the movement of the Veiprocation of th'ecarriage 38 andthe winding of the v Yreel 22, the spring-`53 is `depressed by -t'he plunger 54 "each time the bumpers 49 and 51 strike stop members 56 carriage 38 by engaging the spring bumper 51. The stop member 59 is so mounted on the column 48 that it may limit the movement of the carriage 38 by engaging the spring bumper 49.

A carriage drive unit, indicated generally at 67 and shown in detail in Fig. 4, is designed to drive the carriage 38 reciprocably so as to move the takeup reel 22 axially into (as illustrated in Fig. 2-A) and out of the open end ofthe flyer 21 so that the lconvolutions of the cable core 12 are distributed in layers across the winding surface of the takeup reel 22. The carriage drive unit 67 also has the function of driving the carriage 38 to other positions along the longitudinally extending tracks 47--47, one of which positions is shown in Fig. 2B.

The carriage drive unit 67 (Fig. 4) includes a distributor drive motor 68, preferably a variable speed, D.C., shunt Wound motor, which is connected to an input shaft 69 of a gear reducer 71 by a nonslip, zero backlash, drive belt 72. An output shaft 73 of the gear reducer 71 is supported rotatably in a bearing 74 and is provided with a pulley 76, which is either freely rotatable upon the output shaft 73 or connected operatively thereto for rotation therewith by means of an electromagnetic clutch 77, such as a type 825 Warner electric clutch man- 'ufactured by Warner Electric Brake l8a Clutch Co., Beloit,

Wisconsin. v

The clutch 77 is provided with an electromagnet assembly 78 which is keyed to the output shaft 73 and may be energized to cause engagement with an armature disc 79 mounted directly 011 the pulley 76 for rotation therewith. Thus, rwhen the clutch 77 is actuated, the pulley 7-6 is `driven rotatably from the output shaft 73. The

`output shaft 73 isconnected by means of the intermeshing .gears 81 and 82 to drive a shaft 83 supported rotatably at its opposite ends in bearings 84-84. A pulley 86 is positioned on the shaft .83 and is either freely rotatable thereupon or connected selectively for rotation with the shaft 83 by means of an electromagnetic clutch .87 having `an electromagnet assembly 88, which :is substantially identical to the assembly 78 of the electromagnetic clutch 77 hereinabove described.

The pulley.. 76, when. connected operativelyv to the voutput shaft 73 through its associated electromagnetic .a pulley 93 keyed to lthe drive .shaft 92 is Adriven vrotatably through .a,.nonslip, zero backlash, drive belt 94.A Since Y .Y theintermeshing gears 81 and 82 (Fig. 4) reverse the rotation of the shaft 83 with respect to the rotation of the output shaft 73, the drive shaft 92 rotates in the reverse, clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2-A, when the electromagnetic clutch 87 is actuated and the clutch 77 is not operated.

As shown in Fig. 4, the drive shaft 92 is mounted rotatably in a horizontal position on bearings 96-96 and one end thereof is connected to the lower end of a vertically extending drive shaft 97 by means of intermeshing bevel gears 98 and 99. The upper end of the drive shaft 97 is provided with a pinion gear 101 (Figs. l-B and 3) which is positioned in intermeshing engagement with a horizontally extending, toothed rack 102 secured iixedly to the adjacent side of the movable carriage 38 whereby rotation of the drive shaft 97 in either direction causes corresponding longitudinal movement of the carriage 38 along the tracks 47-47. An electrical circuit and the operation thereof for the actuation and control of the above-described distributor drive motor 68, clutch 77 and clutch 87 is shown and described in my above-mentioned copending application entitled Methods of and Apparatus for Distributing Strand Material.

The drive shaft 92 (Fig. 4) may vbe connected selectively through an electromagnetic, clutch-brake coupling 104, such as a type 825 Warner electric clutch-brake coupling, manufactured by the Warner Electric Brake & Clutch Company, to an output shaft 106v of a reversible carriage motor 108. The clutch-brake coupling 104 cludes a rotatable electromagnetic clutch.110 which is keyed to the end of the drive shaft 92. When the electromagnetic clutch 110 is energized, an associated para.- magnetic clutch disc 115, which is keyed -to the output 4shaft 106 of the motor 108 engages the drive shaft 92 with the output shaft 106 of the motor. The clutchbrake coupling 104 also includes a stationary electromagnetic brake 117 associated with a paramagnetic brake disc 119 which is keyed to the drive shaft 92. When the electromagnetic brake 117 is energized it engages the brake disc 119 to brake the drive shaft 92.

The electromagnetic clutches 77 and 87 and the electromagnetic clutch-brake coupling 104 are controlled by a cam type, switching unit, indicated generally as 120 and shown in detail in Fig. 5, which is provided with a cam shaft 122 which is driven from the drive shaft 97 through a nonslip belt and pulley transmission 123. 'I'he switching unit 120 cooperates with an electrical control circuit, shown schematically in Figs. 13-A, 13B, 13-C and l3-D.

Throughout the operation of the stranding apparatus, the takeup reel 22 is rotated by the flyer 21 through the pull of a portion of the cable core 12 extending from the flyer 21 to the winding surface of the takeup reel. The flyer 21 is driven continuously at a predetermined speed by a main drive motor 125 (Fig. l-B). The main drive motor 125 is connected by means of a nonslip, pulley and belt transmission 127 to a longitudinally extending, rotatable, main drive shaft 129 (Figs. l-A and l-B) which, -in turn, is connected by means of a nonslip, pulley and -belt transmission 130 to the flyer supporting shaft 23.

An induction machine 135 is mounted to the underside of the distributor carriage 38 and is provided with 'an output shaft 136, which is connected operatively to the arbor 36 through a toothed, nonslip belt transmission 138. The induction machine 135 is designed to apply a -braking torque to the arbor 36, as` the cable core 12 is reeled upon the takeup reel, such that a substantially constant tension is maintained in the cable core during an entire reeling operation from an empty reel condition -to a full reel condition.

The linear speed of the cable core 12 ismaintained substantially constant by virtue of the fact that the capstan 14 about which the conductors 11-11 are wrapped with sufficient turns to prevent slippage, is driven rotatably at a constant predetermined speed from the main drive shaft 129 through a suitable transmission, indicated generally as 140 in Fig. l-A. For more complete information regarding the induction machine and its use for maintaining a desired value of constant tension on the cable core 12, reference is made to my above-y mentioned copending application entitled Methods of and Apparatus for Reeling Strands. Referring to Figs. 2-B, 3, 10, ll and 12-A to 12-' F, there is shown a conveyor and elevator unit for removing and replacing the reel 22 upon the arbor 36 at such time as the reel becomes filled. The reel is removed from the arbor 36 and placed upon a conveyor, indicatedA gen erally at 201, by the cooperating action of the carriage 38 and a hydraulic lift, indicated generally at 202. The conveyor 201 acts in a cycle designed'to move a full reel from a position over the lowered lift 202 lto, the right side of the apparatus, as viewed Yin Fig. 3, for removal of the full reel 22 from the apparatus. The conveyor cycle is further designed to move an empty reel 22-A placed previously on the conveyor 201 from the right side of the apparatus to a position over the lift 202 where it can be placed on the arbor 36 by the cooperative movements of the hydraulic lift 202 and the carriage 38. An air lift, indicated [generally at 203, is provided for aiding in removing a full reel from the conveyor and placing an empty reel on the conveyor.

The hydraulic lift 202 comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders 206 and 207 securely mounted within the lower portion of a pit 208, the cylinders 206 and 207 having pistons 211 and 212, respectively, reciprocably mounted therein. Rigidly mounted upon the ends of the pistons 211 and 212 are a pair of reel engaging members 213 and 216, respectively, each having a reel engaging arcuate recess 217 and 218. The reel engaging member 213 has rigidly secured thereto a vertically depending actuator shaft 221, which has an actuator member 223 rigidly secured to the end thereof. The reel engaging member 216 has rigidly secured thereto avertically depending actuator shaft (not shown but substantially identical to 221), which has an actuator member (not shown but substantially identical to 223) rigidly secured'to the end thereof. j Referring to the conveyor portion of the apparatus, indicated generally at 201, a conveyor rbelt 227 passes around two belt supporting rollers 228 and 231 keyed, respectively, to shafts 232 and 233, which are rotatably mounted in a pair of pillow block bearings 236-236 and 237-237, respectively. yThe shaft 233 comprises the drive shaft for the conveyor 201 and is driven at selected intervals during the cycle of operation `to position either the full reel 22 or vthe empty reel 22-A'y during the loading and unloading operations. The pillow block bearings 236-236 and 237-237 are securely mounted upon bearing supports 238 and 241, respectively, each of which are securelymounted in the upper level of the pit 208. Y

A pair of horizontally extending roller mounting members 242 and 243 are securely mounted in the upper portion of the pit 208 by means of angle supports 246- 246. Mounted rotatably and side-by-side between the members 242 and 243 are a plurality of rollers 247-247 for supporting the conveyor belt 227 passing thereover and for supporting a conveyor carriage, indicated generally at 248 and rigidly secured to the upper surface of the conveyor belt 227. As seen in Figs. 3 and 10, electrical switches 252, 256 and 257 are mounted along a member 251 securely attached to the side `of the pit 208 and are positioned so as to be closed by the passage thereover of an actuator bar 267, which protrudes from the carriage 248. In like manner, electrical switches 261, 262 and 266 are mounted on a similarly attached member 263, on the opposite side of the apparatus as viewed in Fig. 10, and are positioned suitably for closing by the passage thereover of an actuator bar 271, vwhich protrudes from the opposite side of the carriage 248.

I7 It should be noted that the switches 261, 256 and 257 are positioned to the left, as viewedv in Figs. 3 and 10, of'swit'ches 252A, 262 and 266, respectively, and because ofthe fact that the actuator bars 267 and 271 are rigidly mounted on the carriage 248 in alignment with each other as viewed in Fig. l0, the actuation of the switches 252, 256 and 257 will not be simultaneous with the actuation lof switches 261, 262 and 266, respectively.

A- mounting angle 273 is rigidly secured to the member 242 and has mounted upon it a guide 277 for the actuatorshaft 221 and an electrical switch 283, which is mounted in a position for actuation by the actuator 223. A similar mounting angle 276 is secured to the member` 243 and has a Isimilar' guide 281 for the actuator shaft ot the member 216 and also has a similar switch 284 (seen only in Fig. 13-B"), all of which operates in similar manner to the guide 277, shaft 221 and switch The conveyor carriage 248 comprises a plate 272 securely attached to the belt 227 and having a plurality f angles so mounted thereon as to form alpair of cradles 282 and 286 suitable for holding reels. The cradle 286 is formed by a member 287 having reel guiding slots 288 and 291 and by an angle 292 having reel engaging slots 293 and 296, as best seen in Fig. ll. The member 287 and angle 292 are securely mounted upon the plate 272. The cradle 282 is formed in similar fashion by a pair of angles 297 and 298, both of which are mounted upon the plate 272 and both of which are similarly slotted (not shown).

Longitudinally extending angles 301 and 302 are se cured upon and within angles 297 and 292 so as to form a trackway at floor level suitable for manually rolling a `reel between the cradles 282 and 286. A plate 303 is provided which has an upper surface at oor level, which has reel engaging slots 304-304, and which extends to a position adjacent the carriage 248 when thecarriage is in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 10, whereby a reel may be rolled from the oor onto the carriage 248.

Asbest seen in Fig. l11, the air lift 203 comprises a pair of Vair cylinders 306 and 307 having pistons 308 and 309', respectively, reciprocally mounted therein, said cylinders being rigidly secured in the upper level of the pit 208. Mounted upon the end of the pistons 308 and 309 are reel engaging members 313 and 314, respectively, each member having a reelengaging straight recess 316. The members 313 and 314 have .rigidly secured thereto, vertically depending actuator shafts 317 and 318, respectively, having rigidly secured to the ends thereof actuator members 321 and 322, respectively, Iwhich can engage switches 323 and 324, respectively, so as to close them, each switch being mounted upon one of the supports `'246-446.

A pair of switches 326 and 327 are secured upon mem- Aber-S5242 and 243, respectively, in such positions that they will be'actuated When the reel engaging members 213 and 216', respectively, of the hydraulic lift 202 arel in down positions. In like manner, switches 331- and 332 are attached to members 242 and 243, respectively, in such a manner that they will be actuated when reel engaging members 313 and 314, respectively, are in down positions. When the reel engaging members 313 and 314 are in up position their recesses 316-7-316 form, in conjunction with the angles 301, 302 and 287 and the slots 304-- -304 of the plate 303-, a straight trackway to the cradle .282 from the oor at the right of the apparatus, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 10.

A 'reversible conveyor motor 333 has its output shaft `336 connected by means of a nonslip, zero backlash, drive belt- 337 to a head pulley 338. The shaft 233 may be .conneetedsele'ctively through an electromagnetic, clutchbrake `unit 341, such as a type 825 Warner electric clutchbrake coupling, manufactured by the Warner Electric Brake and Clutch Company, to a shaft 342 keyed to the pulley 338. The clutch-brake unit 341 includes a clutch comprising a rotatable electromagnetic clutch face and an associated paramagnetic clutch disc, which is keyed to the shaft 342 and also includes a brake comprising a stationary electromagnetic brake face associated with a brake disc which is keyed to the shaft 233. When the electromagnetic clutch is energized, the shaft 233 can be driven positively by the reversible conveyor motor 333 so as to move the conveyor belt 227 and associated conveyor carriage 248. When the electromagnetic brake is energized, the shaft 233 is braked so as to halt the belt 227 and carriage 248 and hold them stationary.

Referring now to combined Figs. l3-A, 13-B, 13-C and l3-D, there is shown a schematic representation of an electrical circuit forming a part of the apparatus. The circuit includes three-phase A.C. bus lines 401-401 (Fig. l3-D) and single phase A.C. lines 402 and 403, which are energized by means of a step down transformer 404 from the bus lines 401-401.

Referring to Fig. l3-A, there is shown a solenoid-operated relay 406 having a coil 408 which may be energized from the lines 402 and 403 by the closure of a normally-closed contact 407 of a cam-operated switch 409 forming a part of the cam-operated switching unit (Figs. 5 and 6), the operation of which will be described in detail hereinafter. An operating coil 413 of a solenoid-operated relay 412 may be energized from the lines 402 and 403 by the closure of a normally-open contact 411 of the cam-operated switch 409.

A coil 418 of a solenoid-operated relay 416 is arranged to be energized when the switches 326 and 327, associated with the hydraulic lift 202, are closed; when the switches 331 and 332, associated with the air lift 203, are closed; and when a series connected normally-open contact 417 of the relay 412 is also closed. An operating coil 423 of a solenoid-operated relay 421 is connected in series with a normally-closed contact 422 of the relay 416 and may be energized from the lines 402 and 403 by the closure of the switch 252, and after being energized it will be held energized by the closed condition of its normally-open contact 426 for as long as the contact 422 remains closed even though the switch 252 may be opened meanwhile.

An operating coil 430 of a solenoid-operated relay 427 may be energized from the lines 402 and 403 through a series connected normally-closed contact 428 of the relay 421 by closing the normally-open switches 323 and 324 associated with the air lift 203. Assuming that the contact 428 remains closed, the relay 427 will not be deenergized by the opening of the switches 323 and/ or 324 because a normally-open contact 429 of the relay 427 maintains the circuit. A coil 433 of a relay 431 is arranged to be energized when a normally-open contact 432 of the relay 427 is closed and the switches 326, 327, 331 and 332 are also closed.

An operating coil 438 of a solenoid-operated relay 436 may be connected across the lines 402 and 403 by closure of the normally-open switch 262 (Fig. l0) and closure of a normally-open contact 485 of a solenoid-operated relay 457. The normally-open switch 257 (also Fig. l0) and a normally-open contact 441 of a solenoid-operated relay 437 are connected in parallel with one another so that the switch 257 when closed may energize and the contact 441 may maintain energized an operating coil 439 of the relay 437 through a normally-closed contact 440 of the relay 431. An operating coil 444 of a solenoid-operated relay 442 may be energized from the lines 402 and 403 through the closure of a normally-open Contact 443 of a cam-operated switch 445 (Fig. 5).

In its normally-closed position a contact 447 of the cam-operated switch 445 may energize an operating coil 448 of a solenoid-operated relay 446 through a closed normally-open contact 451 of the relay 436. Assuming Va normally-closed contact 456 of the relayv 437 to be closed and the contact 447 to remain closed, opening of the contact 451 will not de-energize the relay 446 be- Y 9 Y cause it will remain locked in through its normally-open contact 452.

A coil 458 of a solenoid-operated relay 457 and a coil 467 of a solenoid-operated relay 466 are' connected in parallel with one another from the line 403 and both may be energized through a closed, normally-closed contact 461 of the relay 437 by means of the closure of a normally-open contact 462 of the relay 416. A contact 468 of the relay 457 can maintain the coils 458 and 466 `energized even though the contact 462 is opened, assuming the contact 461 'to remain closed.

An operating coil 472 of a solenoid-operated relay 471 may be energized from the lines 402 and 403 through the closure of a normally-open contact 473 of the relay 442 and of a normally-open Contact 476 of `the relay 431. Closing the switches 326, 327, 331 and 332 and a normally-open contact 481 of the relay 446 will energize an operating coil 478 of a solenoid-operated relay 477 from esegua the lines 402 and 403. An operating coil 484 of a solei noid-operated relay 482 may be energized from the lines 402 and 403 through a closed, normally-closed contact 483 of the relay 477, the closed, normally-open switch 256 and the closed, normally-open contact `485 of the relay 457. Assuming the contacts 483 and 485 to remain closed, the opening of the switch 256 will not deenergize the coil 484 because a normally-open contact 486 of the relay 482 will be closed to maintain the connection.

Referring now to Fig. 13-B, the switch 261 (Fig. 10) may be closed so as to energize an operating coil 488 of a solenoid-operated relay 487 from the lines 402 and 403. An operating coil 493 of a solenoid-operated relay 491 may be energized through the closure of a normallyclosed contact 492 of the relay 477, of a normally-closed contact 496 of the relay 431 and of a normally-open unload pushbutton contact 497. An operating coil 503 of a solenoid-operated timer relay 501 and a solenoid 506 both may be energized through the closed, normally-open, pushbutton unload contact 497, the closed, normallyclosed contact 496 of the relay 431, the closed, normallyclosed contact 492 of the relay 477 and either a closed, normally-open contact 502 of the relay 487 or a closed, normally-open contact 507 of the relay 436. The solenoid 506 operates a valve (not shown) which admits air to the hose 43 (Figs. lB, Z-A and 2-B) to retract the ball detents 41-41 when the solenoid 506 is energized to permit the full reel 22 to be removed from the arbor 36.

Parallel connected operating coils 513 and 518 of a solenoid-operated timer relay 511 and a solenoid-operated relay 517, respectively, may be energized from the lines 402 and 403 through a closed, series-connected, nonmally-open contact 516 of the relay 427 and a closed, normally-open arbor advance pushbutton contact 512. Coils 513 and 518 will remain energized after the opening of the switch 512 because of the locking-in of the relay 517 through a closed, normally-open contact 521 of the relay 517. An operating coil 523 of a solenoid-operated relay 522 may be energized from the lines 402 and 403 through a closed, normally-open contact 526 of the relay 487, a closed, normally-open contact 527 of the relay 406, the closed, normally-open switch 283 and the closed, normally-open switch 284, the switches 283 and V284 being associated with the hydraulic lift 202 as earlier described. An operating coil 534 of a solenoid-operated relay 531 may be energized from the lines 402 and 403 through a closed, normally-closed contact 532 of the relay 446, a closed, normally-open contact 533 of the relay 436, the closed, normally-open switch 283 and the closed, normally-open switch 284.

A centrifugally operated, normally-open switch 540,

which closes during the rotation of the main drive shaft l 129, is connected in series With an operating coil 538 of a solenoid-operated relay 536 and when the switch 540 is closed it energizes the operating coil 538 from-theJines 402 and 403. An operating coil 539ofa solenoid-operated relay 537 may be energized by closing a normallyopen, main arbor retract, pushbutton contact 541, a no1'- mally-open contact 542 of the relay 427 and a normallyopen contact 562 of a solenoid-operated relay 557. Assuming a normally-closed contact 543 of the relay 442 to beV closed, the release of the main arbor retract switch 541 will not de-energize relay 537 because of its being locked-in by its now closed, normally-open contact 546. An operating coil 548 of a solenoid-operated timing relay 547 may be energized from the lines 402 and 403 through -a closed, normally-closed contact 551 of the relay 536 kand either a closed, normally-open contact 552 of the relay 537 or a closed-normally-open contact 556 of the relay 522. A cam-operated switch 549 (Fig. 5) may energize through its closed contact 559 an operating coil 558 of the solenoid-operated relay 557 through a closed, nor- -mally-closed, instantaneous closing contact 561 of the timing relay 547. A normally-open contact 566 of the relay 537 and a normally-closed contact 567 of the relay 442 are connected in series and to the line 402 and when yboth are closed permit energization of an operating coil 578 of a relay 577 through a normally-open, time-to-close contact 571 of the timer relay 547. The coil 578 may also be energized through the contact 571 when closed, a closed, normally-open contact 576 of the relay 522 and a closed, normally-open contact 572 of the relay 406. Alternatively, the coil 578 may be energized from the lines 402 and 403 through closure of a normally-open, cam-operated switch 579 (Fig. 5). An operating coil 583 of a solenoid-operated relay 582 may be energized from the lines 402 and 403 through ,either a closed, normally-open, time-to-close contact `581 .normally-open, cam-operated switch 588 (Fig. 5). A1-

ternatively, the coil 583 may be energized through a series connection of a normally-open contact 592 (Fig. l3-C) of the relay 531, a normally-closed contact 591 of the relay v446 and a normally-open contact 587 of the relay 436 when all are closed.

Referring now to Fig. l3-C, an operating coil 604 of a solenoid-operated relay 601 and an operating coil 609 of a-solenoid-operated relay 607 are connected in parallel with each other on the line 402 and may be connected 4to the line 403 through a closed, normally-closed contact 603 of the relay 446, a closed, normally-open, time-toclose contact 606 of the relay 501 and either a normallyclosed contact 602 of the relay 412, when closed or a normally-open contact 608 of the relay 436, when closed, thereby energizing the coils.

An operating coil 613 of a solenoid-operated relay 611 may be energized from the lines 402 and 403 through a normally-closed contact 612 of the relay 416, a normallyclosed contact 616 of the relay 607, a normally-closed contact 617 of the relay 477 when these are closed, and when either a normally-open contact 622 of the relay 446 or a normally-open contact 621 of the relay 412 is Vclosed also. The normally-open switch 266 may be closed lto the cylinders 306 and 307 of the air lift 203 (Fig. ll), ,whereby the pistons 308 and 309 may be forced upwardly to raise the members 313 and 314. When the solenoid 628 is de-energized, air pressure is directed by the valve to different ports on the cylinders 306 and 307 so as to lower the members 313 and 314.

A normally-open contact 637 of the relay 536 may be closed to energize an operating coil 633 of a solenoidoperated relay 636 from the lines-402 and 403. An operating coil 643 of a solenoid-operated relay 641 and an 11 operating coil 648 of a solenoid-operated timing relay 646 may be energized through a normally-closed contact 647 of a cam-operated switch 649 (Fig. and a closed, normally-open contact 642 of the relay 536. When the cam-operated switch 649 is operated in the opposite direction, it will energize through its contact 651 both the parallel-connected operating coils 653 and 658 of solenoid-operated relays 652 and 656, respectively, through the closed contact 642 of the relay 536 from the lines 402 and 403.

A solenoid 657 for actuating a valve to admit air to the rota-ry indexing motor 66 (Fig. 8) to lower the -stop member 57 to the position shown in Fig. 2-B, may be energized through the closure of an instantaneousclosing, normally-open contact 661 of the timing relay 547. A pair of parallel-connected solenoids 662 and 672 may be energized from the lines 402 and 403 through the closure of a normally-open contact 671 of the relay 557. The solenoids 662 and 672 actuate pneumatic valves to cause raising of the stop members 57 and 58, respectively, from the positions shown in Fig. 2-B to the positions shown in Fig. 2-A, whereby they can limit the movement of the carriage 38. The closure of a normally-open contact 677 of the relay 522 will energize a solenoid 676 to actuate a pneumatic valve to cause lowering of the stop member 58 to the position shown in Fig. 2-B, so that the carriage 38 may pass thereby. A solenoid 681 m-ay be energized from the lines 402 and 403 through the closure of a normally-open, instantaneous-closing contact 682 of the solenoid-operated relay 511 so as to lower pneumatically the stop member 59 to the position shown in Fig. 2-A. The closure of, a normally-open contact 687 of the relay 412 will energize a solenoid 686 from the lines 402 and 403 so as to Iraise pneumatically the stop member 59 to the position seen in Fig. 2-B. It should be noted that whenever a pneumatic valve associated with the stop members 57, 58 and 59 has been actuated by either the solenoids 657, 676 and 681 (to lower) or the solenoids 662,672 and 686 (to raise), respectively, that the valve will assume and retain the position into which it is urged until it is actuated in the other direction and caused to assume a new position, which it likewise will retain.

An operating coil 693 of a solenoid-operated relay 691 may be energized through the contacts of any of the `following groups: a normally-open contact 692 and a normally-closed contact 694 of the relay 537 and the relay 536, respectively; a normally-open contact 696 and a normally-closed time-to-open contact 697 of the relay 641 and the relay 646, respectively; a normally-open contact 701 and a normally-closed contact 702 of the relays 652 and 656, respectively; a normally-open contact 706 of the relay 517; a normally-open contact 707 of the relay 531; or a normally-open contact 711 Yof the relay 522. Y

The input terminals of a bridge rectifier 723 and a bridge rectifier 737 (Fig. 13D) are connected across the lines 402 and 403. A clutch solenoid 712 forming a part of the electromagnetic clutch 110 (Fig. 4) may be energized from the output terminals of the bridge rectifier 723 through a closed, normally-open contact 716 of the relay 691 so as to connect the drive shaft 92 operatively with the reversible, carriage motor 108. A solenoid 717 forming a part of the electromagnetic brake 117 (Fig. 4) may be energized from the output terminals of the bridge rectifier 723 through a series-connection of a normally-closed contact 722 of the relay 636 and a `normally-closed contact 721 of the relay 691, whereby the drive shaft 92 will be braked so as to stop movement of the carriage 38 along the tracks 47-47 (Fig. 3).

Referring now to Fig. l3-D, an operating coil 729 of a solenoid-operated relay 726 may be energized from the lines 402 and 403 through Ia series connection of a normally-closed contact 727 of the relay 437, a normallyclosed contact 728 of the relay 421 and a normally-closed contact 731 of the relay 482.

p A conveyor clutch solenoid 732 forming the clutch actuating-portion of the clutch-brake unit 341 (Fig. l0) may be energized from the output terminals of the bridge rectifier 737 by closing a normally-open contact 733 of the solenoid-operated relay 726. A conveyor brake solenoid 734 forming the brake actuating portion of the clutch brake unit 341 may be energized from the output terminals of the bridge rectifier 737 by closing a normally-closed contact 736 of the relay 7 26.

A hydraulic pump motor 743 is arranged to be oonnected to the three-phase |bus lines 401-401 either by closing the open contacts 738-738 of the relay 601 or by closing the normally-open contacts 746-746 of the relay 611. The hydraulic pump motor 743 when energized through the contacts 738-738 runs in a forward direction so as to supply hydraulic fluid to the lower end of the hydraulic cylinders 206 and 207 (Figs. 2-A, 2-B and 3), whereby the pistons 211 and 212 are moved upwardly to raise the members 213 and 216 from the position shown in Fig. 2-A to that shown in Fig. 2-B. Conversely, when the hydraulic pump motor 743 is energized through the contacts 746-746, it runs in a reverse direction so as to supply hydraulic fluid to the upper end of hydraulic cylinders 206 and 207, whereby the pistons 211 and 212 and the members 213 and 216 are lowered back to the positions illustrated in Fig. 2-A.

The reversible carriage rnotor 108 (Fig. 4) is energized from the bus lines 401-401 by closing the normallyopen contacts 741-741 of the relay 577 or by closing the normally-open contacts 747-747 of the relay 582. The reversible motor 108 when energized through the contacts 741-741 runs in a forward direction so as to drive the carriage 38 rightwardly, as viewed in Figs. l, 2-A and 2-B. Conversely, when the motor 108 is energized through contacts 747-747, it runs in a reverse direction so as to drive carriage 38 leftwardly, as viewed in Figs. 1, Z-A and 2-B.

The conveyor motor 333 (Fig. l0) is energized from the bus lines 401-401 by the normally-open contacts 742-742 of the relay 466 being closed or lby the normally-open contacts 748-748 of the relay 471 being closed. The conveyor motor 333 when energized through the contacts 742-742 runs in a forward direction so as to drive the conveyor carriage 248 rightwardly, as viewed in Figs. 3 and l0, and when energized through the contacts 748-748 runs in a reverse direction so as to drive conveor carriage 248 leftwardly, as viewed in Figs. 3 and l Refem'ng now to Figs. 5 and 6, the switching unit `120 is designed to control the operation of the switches 409, 445 (both Fig. 13-A), 549, 579, 588 (all Fig. l3-B) and 649 (Fig. l3-C) in accordance with the movements of the carriage 38. As mentioned previously, the cam shaft 122 which forms a part of the switching unit 120, is driven from the drive shaft 97. Adjustably mounted on the cam shaft 122 are a plurality of pairs of cams l-751, 752-752, 753-753, 754-754, 756-756 and 757-757 designed to strike and throw operating levers 758, 759, 761, 762, 763 and 764, Irespectively, of the switches 409, 445, 549, 579, 588 and 649, respectively, at predetermined positions of the cam shaft 122. The switches 409, 445, 549, 579, 588 and 649 are of the single-pole,` double-throw, snap action type and, when thrown in one direction, are arranged to remain in that -position until thrown in the opposite direction to the other position.

The switch 409 is actuated by one of the pairs of cams 751-751 to open its contact 407 and to close its contact 411 (Fig. l3-A) when the carriage 38, as viewed in Fig. Z-B, reaches a predetermined position near the end of possiblerightward travel of the carriage 38. The contact 407 will be closed when the carriage is in the position 

